Hi Jen,

Hearing this is frightening for all of us....so can totally relate. Please know that in many cases removal of the kidney and tumor may be all the treatment needed. Still...you'll have to be monitored for five years, usually every 3 - 6 months. Waiting for the surgery is always stressful. Hang in there, Honey. Please don't hesitate to contact me if I can be of any help.

Hugs from SC,
Ingrid

Hello Jen,
I am pleased that you found this site. People here are so caring.

Of course you will be feeling frightened and in shock, as everyone does, faced with this news and there is plenty of support for you here.
Will be keeping you in my thoughts.
Hugs

Hi Jen - like many of us, your problem was found while the doctor was looking at something else. Think of this as a blessing, that it did not go undetected. My doctor was going to do a partial removal but I wanted the entire kidney OUT - turned out that I had some heart slowing (genetic) during the surgery and he had to take the whole kidney out anyway! Was in the hospital ONE day - no problems recovering ....have had a lot worse things in life. You will be so happy to have this group as the questions come up. Ask me anything you like, I have a daughter 39! Carol

Jen, the info on this site and the people who contribute are all survivors and you will be too. This time between discovery and plan of surgery and/or meds is the hardest so stay strong.

I am in my fourth bout with cancer in 20 years - 2 bladder, and in 09 my right kidney was removed, then last December IT had metasized to my lungs, and beyond. Seven months later I am stable. My doc gave me the best advice and I now offer it to you... Live every hour the best you can and take a litttle time to count your joys. AND know that a lot of strangers are in this journy with you

Hi Jen, 2 years ago I found I had a mass on my kidney by accident. I was scared as you are, it is a shock. Research to find a good surgeon, ask questions. Recently I had my 2 year scan, and it came back clean.

I will send a prayer your way.

BGH

Hi Jen, i found out about my kidney cancef in April accidently. I had a follow up appointment for a hernia surgery I had in March and the surgeon told me to follow up with my doctor because it could be something and then again it could be nothing. Finding out it was cancer left me numb as well!
I had my surgery on 8/8 and I must say I'm a little more relieved. The surgeon froze the tumor and removed it. I'm still nervous about gettingthe results of the biopsy but I do feel better mentally. Mine was 2.8cm so it was relatively small, I guess.
Be strong and remain upbeat because you are a survivor and will beat this.

Hi Jen,

We have very similar stories. My tumour was found during a routine internal ultrasound, I was sent for a CT scan and on Aug 8 I met my Urologist was was told the same thing....80% probability of cancer. I went for a biopsy the following week and just received the results on Wednesday. Hopefully we can be in touch through our journey. Keep well.

Connie :)

Hi Connie... Was your results cancer? What are your next steps?

Yes the results are cancer. Next step is surgery but my tumour is on the artery so that is posing additional risk of losing the entire kidney. I am to have the surgery first week of October and it is a transplant specialist that is performing the operation because he feels that he can save the kidney as opposed to the robotic laparoscopic method. It will be open surgery so I will have a long slow recovery (small price to pay).

Connie

Jen and Connie

I had the open surgery and was out of the hospital in 4 days and back to work I 3-3and a half weeks but I have a desk job. You should both do a little research on partial nephrectomy versus radical nephrectomy and the rates of recurrence.

Dave